ELinks: User-assisted execution of arbitrary code

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200706-03 / elinks
Release Date	June 06, 2007
Latest Revision	June 06, 2007: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	local

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
www-client/elinks	< 0.11.2-r1	>= 0.11.2-r1	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #177512

Synopsis

A vulnerability has been discovered in ELinks allowing for the user-assisted execution of arbitrary code.

2. Impact Information

Background

ELinks is a text-mode web browser.

Description

Arnaud Giersch discovered that the "add_filename_to_string()" function in file intl/gettext/loadmsgcat.c uses an untrusted relative path, allowing for a format string attack with a malicious .po file.

Impact

A local attacker could entice a user to run ELinks in a specially crafted directory environment containing a malicious ".po" file, possibly resulting in the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running ELinks.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All ELinks users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=www-client/elinks-0.11.2-r1"

4. References

CVE-2007-2027

Page updated June 06, 2007

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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